Guv orders HE dept to probe into ‘irregularities’ of Berhampur & Ravenshaw varsities

Berhampur/Cuttack: The Higher Education Department may soon initiate a probe into alleged irregularities in Odisha’s two most well established varsities- Berhampur and Ravenshaw. The probe will be taken up as per a letter issued by the Office of Odisha Governor.

As per sources, the Chancellor has shot a letter to the Additional Secretary of Higher Education Prasanta Kumar Das asking him to immediately probe into the alleged irregularities in Berhampur University and submit report within 60 days.

Allegations of irregularities including appointment of staff and lecturers, discrepancies in teaching and evaluation of answer sheets, management and infrastructure development, and funds mismanagement in the varsity have been surfacing since many days.

Following the Governor’s direction, the HE department has asked the concerned varsities to probe and submit the facts in the aforesaid issues.

However the Berhampur varsity authorities refuse to have received any such letter from the Higher Education Department though the PG Council Chairman of BU, Debi Pattnaik stated, “PK Das is once again coming to Berhampur University to probe into some allegations leveled against the varsity. I don’t have any information in this regard. When I asked our Vice-Chancellor, he also denied of receiving any such letter or information.”

On the other hand, in reply to the statement of PG Council Chairman, former president of the varsity Bhabani Kanta Sahu said, “Being a student leader, I have all the letters. It’s quite surprising to hear that they refuse to have received any letter in this regard so far. The VC shouldn’t stay here in the university during the 2-month probe period which will ensure an unbiased, free and fair investigation. In this crucial time, an RDC should be handed over the responsibility of the University.”

As per a notice served by Additional Secretary of Higher Education to the Registrar of Ravenshaw University, it has been stated that he will conduct a probe on August 17 and later submit the report of the findings to the Chief Secretary.

Registrar Maheswar Agasti said, “Additional Secretary Prasanta Das will conduct an inquiry and we will provide him with whatever information we have with us.”